"...I do know that the Feds could have alleviated the situations at the Convention Center and the Superdome sooner..."
WoW! Maybe you should work for the DOD and let them know how a few blackhawks can be loaded with enough supplies for thousands. The chaos that would have ensued had they not gone in with an overwhelming force, like they did on Friday via a ground convoy, would have been terrible and cost far more lives than the few that may have perished in the interim.
And everyone is getting on FEMA's case over the convention center - and that they didn't know about it. My question is: Who the hell set that shelter up? Was it the American Red Cross - ARC - they usually do the mass care ESF (Emergency Support Function) in most municipal EOPs (Emergency Operations Plans). Was it the municipal government? Someone set it up and then realized the bad situation and got the hell out of there. It was either ARC or the municipal governement (ARC will not set up shelters WITHOUT security present) - or a combo of both. EITHER WAY - whoever opened it got the hell out of there fast - and left people there.
And the one thing that I can guarantee: It was not, repeat, NOT FEMA that set it up as a mass care center.
But it is all Bush's fault - I keep forgetting.
Oh, come now. I served almost eight years in the military as a Supply Officer. I have some idea as to capabilities and logistics. We could have ferried in enough people with the helicopter assets on hand to maintain order and security until the convoys came in. You don't need "overwhelming force." Enough supplies could have been sent in by chopper to take care of the most needy.
And everyone is getting on FEMA's case over the convention center - and that they didn't know about it. My question is: Who the hell set that shelter up?
Some people just gravitated there. I assume the city used it previously. Certainly FEMA had nothiung to do with it nor did they have anything to do with the Superdome. Nagin is totally responsible for the arrangements.